A few notes from the beginning of the State of the Union Address

President Trump began his 2018 State of the Union Address by sharing acts of heroism that were revealed in times of crisis in our country this past year. Several heroes were in the gallery with the First Lady.

He spoke of trials, including the wounding of Congressman Steve Scalise from Louisiana. He shared gratitude for “the heroic efforts of the Capitol Police officers, the Alexandria Police, and the doctors, nurses, and paramedics who saved his life and the lives of many others; some in this room. ”

“In the aftermath of that terrible shooting, we came together, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as representatives of the people. But it is not enough to come together only in times of tragedy. Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people. This is really the key. These are the people we were elected to serve. (Applause.)”

President Trump said that since the election: there have been 2.4 million new jobs (including 200,00 new jobs in manufacturing). We are finally seeing rising wages after “years of wage stagnation.”

Unemployment claims are at a 45-year low. African American and Hispanic American unemployment is at lowest rate every recorded.

Small businesses are increasing and growing “at an all-time high.” Stock market has gained $8 trillion in value. Americans’ 401(k), retirement, pension and college savings accounts “have gone through the roof.”

As promised 11 months ago, we have “enacted the biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history.” — “tremendous relief for the middle class and small business.”

It’s the end of the world as we know it – at least that’s what some people would have us believe about President Trump’s education budget.

It’s “a devastating blow to the country’s public education system,” according to National School Boards Assn. CEO Thomas Gentzel. More like a “wrecking ball,” says Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Assn. teachers’ union. No, it’s a veritable “assault on the American Dream,” insists John B. King Jr., former Obama administration secretary of education.

Such hyperbole is reminiscent of the early 1980s, when President Reagan’s opponents battled his administration’s education cuts, and it’s about as inaccurate today as it was back then.